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fanboyriot's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Read For:
Trauma
Rich Kids
Writing Club
Breakfast Club Vibes
Private School Setting
I had kinda high hopes with this book but unfortunately it just kinda flopped for me. It was unfortunately incredibly boring. The plot dragged out until the last few chapters and the epilogue did more telling than showing with the writing style.
While this book had nice diversity and representation with LGBTQIA and BIPOC characters I just didn’t really feel anything towards these characters. Which in my opinion make or break a book. It felt like every time I was getting used to a characters POV it would switch, which is a bit ironic since a lot of these chapters were on the longer side.
The plot touched on some depressing topics that I wasn’t fully expecting. It wasn’t horribly done but the bullying was absolutely annoying to read. I just didn’t care for this as much as I thought I was going to.
POV: Multiple, Third Person
Spice: n/a
Rep: Lesbian (MC & SC), Gay (MC), Bisexual (MC), LGBTQIA Characters, BIPOC Characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, Homophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Islamophobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Racism, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Cursing
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Xenophobia, Pedophilia, and Grief
shamelesslyash's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I loved Abdi's first book, so when I saw he had written another one I was very excited. Of course it sat on my TBR list for almost a year, but when I finally started reading it I was sucked in. The 5 main characters all are dealing with their own issues, but come together as one for The Circle, a writing group put together by a teacher at the school. Through the story we hear their stories and how not everything is picture prefect at the school. Throughout the story they connect to each other and become one. They deal with the issues that come up and help each other along the way.
One of my only issues with the book is that I came confusing Beth and Brunson. They were roommates the year prior and their stories were similar to the point that I would forget who was who. I spent each of their chapters thinking they were the other. But in the end they do say they are similar and maybe that's what Abdi wanted us to see all along.
One of my only issues with the book is that I came confusing Beth and Brunson. They were roommates the year prior and their stories were similar to the point that I would forget who was who. I spent each of their chapters thinking they were the other. But in the end they do say they are similar and maybe that's what Abdi wanted us to see all along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Cursing, and Grief
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